NEWS: Aristide Says He's Ready to Die to Defend Haiti; U.S. Urges Americans to Leave the Country

The United States is urging it's 20,000 citizens residing in Haiti to leave and return home, as President Jean Bertrand Aristide vows to remain in power and fight the current rebellion. As political talks continue between the UN, CARICOM, USA and France, in hopes to find a peaceful solution to the country's problem. The Pentagon will be sending a small military team to evaluate the security of the U.S. Embassy in Haiti.

"I am ready to give my life if that is what it takes to defend my country," Aristide told stony-faced police officers honoring slain comrades at a ceremony in Port-au-Prince, the capital in the south.

"If wars are expensive, peace can be even more expensive," warned Aristide, who has survived three assassination attempts and a coup.
ap.tbo.com...

[Edited on 19-2-2004 by SkepticOverlord]